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Monday, November 28, 2011

Here is another mason jar holiday gift idea, great for neighbors, teachers, or friends and family. This cinnamon sugar popcorn recipe is amazing! I have shared the full recipe before here. I made up some of these jars for another holiday boutique and thought I would share the idea with all of you. They are really simple to make, here's what you'll need:

8oz Mason jars

White popcorn kernels

Sugar

Cinnamon

Salt

Twine

Glittery card stock paper

small plastic bags to hold the cinnamon sugar mixture (you can find small ones at Hobby Lobby)

You will place 1/2 cup of sugar into the bottom of each jar, then follow with 1/2 cup of the white popcorn kernels. Place the lid on the jar and tighten. Measure out the cinnamon sugar mixture for each bag. You will need 4 tablespoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix it together and place in the small bag. Each jar makes about 7-8 cups of popcorn.
Next you can print the cinnamon sugar popcorn labels and write the directions on the back card stock. You can find the image that I used below. Just save and insert into a word document to print. You can drag the image smaller or larger depending on the size of the label you want to make. Then cut out the label and glue to the glittery card stock. Hole punch the corner of each label.
Next, hole punch two holes on each side of the top of the small bags and thread the twine through the holes and around the lid of the jar. You will also want to make sure to thread the twine through your label. Then you're done! Make sure to make a batch for yourself too, it will make a good snack for while you're filling the jars. :)

I made this broccoli pesto last night and tossed it over orzo and steamed broccoli florets, then topped it with avocado slices, pine nuts and freshly grated Parmesan. It was soo yummy! The recipe came from a new cookbook I picked up at Anthropologie. It's called super natural every day by Heidi Swanson. There are lots of great healthy recipes in it, and I can't wait to try out more of them. This broccoli pesto is really simple to make and easy to toss over your favorite pasta.

Ingredients:

2 cups of broccoli, blanched

2 garlic cloves, peeled

2/3 cup pine nuts, toasted

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan

2 tablespoons of lemon juice

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup whole milk

1/4 teaspoon of salt

Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor, except the olive oil and milk. Once all the ingredients are in the food processor stream in the olive oil and milk while pulsing the other ingredients until smooth. The original recipe called for creme fraiche, however I did not have any so I just used whole milk. It came out great!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

We made this bruschetta on Thanksgiving as an appetizer and it is AMAZING! My Mom shared the recipe and I am not sure where it originally came from, but it is one that I will be making again! I love the combination of the sweet pears, creamy fontina, and salty pistachios. Yumm!

Ingredients:

1 baguette, sliced

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

9 oz fontina cheese, sliced

1/4 cup pistachios, shelled and chopped

2 pears (one red, one green), sliced

freshly ground salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, and line a baking sheet with foil. Slice baguette.

Lay slices on the baking sheet. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until bread is toasted.

Top with freshly chopped garlic and the sliced fontina cheese.

Sprinkle the pistachios on top, then place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Remove from the oven once the cheese is melted and top with pear slices. Serve while still warm.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Last year Mission Community Church set a goal to feed 1,500 orphans in Chikudzulire, Africa…that goal was far exceeded to feed 4,700!!! This year their goal is to provide nutritious meals for 5,000 orphans for all of 2012. You can give online here (login to your Mission account or create an account, and select "Advent Conspiracy" for the fund).

Sunday, November 20, 2011

We celebrated my sister last night at her Bridal Shower, and we had a lot of fun! Our friend Andrea from Lime Flower Studio took lots of pictures of the evening, and I can't wait to share them! These were the only pictures I took yesterday and thought I would share them. My sister's wedding colors are teal and silver, so I rimmed some glasses in teal sprinkles for a mudslide punch! I also rimmed some others in silver sanding sugar for the Coconut Mojitos. My sister-in-law made the mudslide punch and I plan to share the recipe soon. They were really yummy!

The teal sprinkles are from Sweet Estelle's Etsy Shop and the grey striped paper straws are from my Etsy shop here. I would love to have an assortment of sprinkles in my shop, so fun! And these were the perfect color for the shower!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

I want to introduce you to a few of the lovely vendors that will be at The Holiday Shoppe in just over 1 week!

Hi, I’m Liz. The Blue Eyed Owl is a blog about all things vintage, handmade and my life as mom, wife and indie business owner. I run an online vintage and handmade boutique with retail space at The Main Street Antique Mall near my home in Mesa, AZ. I love to connect with readers & other indie business owners and would love to hear from you!

Three girlfriends who share a common bond of always wanting more junk in our trunks. Their booth will be full of chippy, rusty and unique vintage items. As well as handmade barn signs and personalized pillows.

My name is Ashley and I am the designer at The Pink Ruffle. I am a mom to the sweetest little girl and love making her headbands! I always am asked where she gets them, so decided to share the love with everyone! It is my joy to make something special for your little one, older one or even you!I will be selling baby, child and adult headbands, bowbands and hair clips.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

I recently made these jars with hot cocoa mix in them to sell at some holiday boutiques. I think they would make great gifts for teachers, neighbors, or friends and family. I tied some paper straws to the jar with twine and put a tag on each jar with the directions on the backside. There are lots of homemade hot cocoa mix recipes online, so you can try out different ones. When I made mine I didn't write down a recipe, but the next batch I make I will make sure to write down my recipe!

I added mini chocolate chips and mini marshmallows to half of the jars.

Then I added crushed candy canes and mini marshmallows to the other jars to make a peppermint flavored hot cocoa.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

I made this frame for my sister's bridal shower coming up. It is a cocktails and cupcakes shower with lots of shiny, sparkly, glittery decorations! Can't wait to celebrate with her and all the girls!

I bought the old frame for $0.75 at Goodwill and used some silver spray paint I already had. The tacky spray and glitter I bought at hobby lobby on sale and with coupons and I have lots leftover for more fun projects. The printable in the frame I found at Salt & Paper, an adorable online store with all kinds of printable art and stationary. You can find the Keep Calm printable HERE, for free! You can even customize the color of the printable from many selections before downloading.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

This is another activity that Hudson was sent home from preschool with, but it would be easy to create at home with your kids. He was given the turkey template (which you can draw your own or find one online) and told to disguise Tom Turkey so he is not caught on Thanksgiving Day. You can get creative and use things around your house to disguise him. You could disguise him as anything your child would like, such as another animal. Hudson of course wanted to make him a Superhero!

We used markers, felt, glitter, scissors, and glue to disguise Tom Turkey.

First Hudson colored him with the markers.

While Hudson colored I cut out a mask, cape, boots, and superhero emblems to disguise Tom with.

Once Tom was colored we cut him out and then Hudson glued the felt superhero costume onto Tom.

We went back and also added glitter and Hudson made him some wrist bands too. :)

Today I want to share with you a little about Bonnie from Bonnie Inc. Bonnie has a wonderful blog and shop where she sells some great vintage finds! The items above are some of my favorites from her Etsy shop! Make sure you go check out her blog and shop, and read more below as Bonnie shares about herself, how it all got started, and what influences and inspires her! Bonnie Inc. will also be one of the vendors at the Holiday Shoppe on November 26th! You can follow Bonnie here:

How did Bonnie Inc. get started?
I like to consider myself a “jane-of-all-trades,” so I absolutely love to learn how to do just about anything and tackle it hands first! From a very young age I was handmaking cards, bookmarks, personalized welcome signs, and scrapbooks. Deep down, I think it was always a dream to become an entrepreneur and I can remember writing “Bonnie Inc.” (Beautiful Incorporated) on the backs of my creations even when I was just an adolescent. I abandoned the brand for a while but never gave up creating; songs, jewelry; paintings. I sat on a website, bonnieinc.com for several years, but in 2010, my husband gave me that big shove to go for it. I combined my love of shopping for dismissed furnishings and a keen eye for style, to create Bonnie Inc. Distinct Refurbished Furniture & Interior Design. I hope to grow into a full, eye catching storefront and a successful commercial designer.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a designer, inventor, recycler, bargainer, animal-lover and wife. I am a native of Arizona but have loved living in Rochester, New York and Bridgeport, Connecticut. I have a quirky yet supportive husband whom I lovingly call my trophy husband (for his outrageously good looks, of course) and two (furry and slobbery) children. I started out my professional path with a degree in Elementary Education but decided to exit on a more creative and personally fulfilling road. I pursued an education in Interior Design and took on side projects beautifying furniture. I’m happiest creating; using my hands to make items that appeal to my eyes.

What do you do outside of Bonnie Inc.?Besides my love of design, I enjoy many other aspects of life. I spend quite a bit of time with my dogs, including frequent trips to the dog park and pet store. My husband and I often compete against one another on the tennis court, and ongoing scrabble games (I won the past 2). I practice yoga 4 times a week to maintain sanity and take a break from the millions of ideas flooding my mind. The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms, where I take delight in baking and learning to become the next Masterchef (I have an unhealthy obsession with this show). I love a clever joke, a good book and any opportunity to laugh!

Where does your inspiration come from?
Nature, ancestry, my grandmother. The curve in a dirt road or an unruly field.

Who has been most influential in your craft?
I have to thank my paternal grandmother, Annie, for all her influence and support in my craft. She has patiently taught me how to sew, crochet, cook and many other things throughout the years and without her I wouldn’t be the successful and creative person that I am today. My mother has possibly been equally as influential by taking me to antique stores, teaching me to cherish the beauty in things old, and always making sure there is room in the house for the sewing machine!

What piece do you most cherish?
Although I cycle through obsessions over particular types of furniture, whether it be lamps or entry tables, my most cherished item is the dresser my husband and I acquired together. I have always had a particular affinity for 9 drawer dressers and this one brought us closer. It was our first piece of what I like to call, “real furniture,” and it’s absolutely beautiful in my eyes.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Come out and shop for holiday gifts at the MOPS Christmas Boutique in Chandler! You can visit the Facebook Event HERE. I will be there selling party supplies, holiday gifts, kids items, jewelry, and some home decor! The Pink Ruffle will be there with me, along with ReVamp Duo, and many other great vendors!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Hudson started preschool this year and this month he was sent home with simple "homework" activities to do at home each day. Most of the activities are to reinforce what he is learning at school. I really like having a calendar of simple and new things to do with him each day. I thought I would share some of them with you to use at home with your little ones!

Use play dough to practice making your name

Take a walk to the park and find things that start with the letter "h" (or any letter that they are learning about)

Practice counting to 20

Help Mom and Dad make flashcards 1-20. Practice recognition.

Help set the table for dinner.

Grab a handful of beans and estimate how many you have.

Sort a group of toys by color.

Give your child 1" strips of paper to cut into squares

Let your child place a food item in the food bank at the grocery store.

Show Mom and Dad your zoo phonics sounds and signals

Practice writing the letter "Jj" in shaving cream (or any letter that they are learning about)

Mix some Pumpkin Pie filling with ice cream to make Pumpkin Shakes.

Use play dough to make a pretend dinner.

Draw a picture of something you are thankful for.

Have your child tell you one things they did well today.

Practice writing your name.

Do a puzzle together.

I would love to hear any other fun and simple activities to do this month, you can leave any ideas in a comment below! :)